Blog: LCBH News

The fifth issue in a series of foreclosure reports prepared by LCBH chronicles the often overlooked story of how Chicago renters are affected, and often displaced, by foreclosure.

The impact of the foreclosure crisis on renters has been catastrophic and, despite a 37% decrease in total filings on apartment buildings for the City of Chicago last year, the report shows the disproportionate devastation that continues in particular neighborhoods. All 10 of the community areas with the highest number of units impacted by foreclosure in 2013 are located on either the South or West sides of the city. These communities have had an average of 21.2% of their rental housing units enter foreclosure since 2009 - double the city-wide percent of rental units affected.

With the fragmented geography of the crisis in mind, the 2013 Report offers a guide to place-based policies, strategies, and solutions, tailored to stabilize long-term affordable housing in the foreclosure crisis context.

LCBH is partnering with the Association of Corporate Counsel and the law firm of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius to host a day of pro bono training in late May. In-house attorneys from several Chicago-area companies will attend the program and learn about the latest developments impacting the rights of tenants in foreclosure. After the training, attendees will be able to volunteer with the LCBH Tenants in Foreclosure Helpline, delivering one-on-one legal advice and counseling services for tenants whose buildings have gone into foreclosure.

LCBH offers trainings and presentations on a number of issues affecting renters including renters’ rights, foreclosure, and fair housing. Trainings are designed for specific audiences to provide pertinent information. Whether you are an attorney, housing advocate, social worker, community organizer, landlord, or renter, our trainings will provide you with valuable and useful information.

If you’re interested in scheduling a training or presentation, please contact us at (312) 347-7600 for more information.

With last year’s passage of Chicago’s Protecting Tenants in Foreclosed Rental Property Ordinance and Illinois Public Act 098-0514, both of which amend foreclosure law, LCBH staff members have been busy updating our foreclosure materials. The most notable and sought after of these are our foreclosure brochures for both statewide renters and those living in the City of Chicago.

The updated brochures include crucial explanations of the rights and responsibilities of renters who are living in a foreclosed property. The brochures provide introductions to the new legal protections under the relevant laws, as well as a brief self-help guide to understanding the legal timeline of a foreclosure and how to determine whether a foreclosure has taken place. Most importantly, the brochures contain contact information for LCBH’s Tenants in Foreclosure Helpline: Chicago: (312) 784-3507. Both brochures are available in English and Spanish. The Chicago version of the brochure is also available online in Chinese and Polish.

The brochures provide an excellent first-step guide for renters, offering information to foster understanding of the often mystifying foreclosure process. LCBH is confident these updated materials will play a key role in our outreach efforts throughout Chicago and across Illinois.

LCBH is primarily known as a Chicago legal aid agency, but with special funding from Attorney General Lisa Madigan and the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), LCBH is able to provide foreclosure expertise throughout the state. LCBH staff members are often on the road raising awareness about the rights of renters caught up in the foreclosure crisis. Recently, LCBH staff travelled downstate to the city of East St. Louis to visit with elected officials, social service providers, and religious leaders.

At each stop, LCBH staff discussed the foreclosure crisis and how it has impacted each community and were able to provide information about the rights renters have when confronted with the threat of losing their homes as a result of a foreclosure of their rental property. LCBH outreach staff members were warmly received by city officials and civic leaders, state senators and representatives, and US Congressman William Enyart. Staff also visited the St. Clair County Courthouse in nearby Belleville to provide resources for the judiciary and the self help desks at the courthouse law library, and met with Judge McGlynn, who runs the foreclosure docket, and Judge Rudoph, who runs the eviction docket. Both judges responded very positively to LCBH materials and felt they would be a valuable tool in helping local area renters.